No Bail For Accused Weymouth Cop Killer

WEYMOUTH, MA — A Weymouth man accused of killing a police officer and an elderly woman won't be getting out of jail any time soon as he awaits trial. Emanuel Lopes was arraigned in Quincy District Court Tuesday in a courtroom full of police officers looked on. The judge ordered him held without bail for the murders of Weymouth Officer Michael Chesna and bystander Vera Adams. He also faces charges of possessing a firearm without a firearms ID card, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a car crash, and destruction of property worth less than $1,200.

During his arraignment, 20-year-old Lopes sat in a wheelchair in a hospital gown. His leg appeared heavily bandaged, likely a result of being shot in the foot by a police officer Sunday morning. Lopes twice indicated that he understood what the judge was saying, but otherwise did not speak.

The defense attorney asked that Lopes be sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for a 20-day competency evaluation.

"I've been unable to speak with him in any coherent action about the case," Lopes' attorney, Larry Tipton, argued, noting Lopes has a history of mental health problems, including hallucinations.

Judge Mark Koven denied that request but approved independent testing.

Dr, Nicholas Petrou, who evaluated Lopes' competency told the judge Lopes indicated he disagreed with charges but understood them.

Lopes is scheduled to return to court Aug. 15 for a probable cause hearing.

The courthouse was filled with police officers, including Weymouth officers and State Troopers:

• Alleged Cop Killer Not Medically Fit For Arraignment Monday
• 1,000+ Attend Vigil For Fallen Weymouth Police Officer Chesna
• Fund Established For Fallen Officer's Family
• Weymouth Police Have Motorcycle Ride For Fallen Officer

What happened:

Someone had called police to report an erratic driver on Route 18 shortly after 7:30 a.m. Sunday and Chesna, who'd been on the force for six years, went to check it out. When he got there, he found a BMW crashed into a parked SUV and the driver - later identified as Lopes - had run off, according to a police report read in court by Assistant District Attorney Greg Connor

A police report indicates that Lopes, who was driving a BMW registered to his girlfriend's mother, crashed into a parked Dodge. Security cameras caught Lopes making his way through backyards near the South Shore Hospital and toward Burton Terrace.

Chesna then saw Lopes throwing a rock through a window of Burton Terrace home, according to court documents. But things took a turn when Chesna got out of his cruiser and drew his gun. Lopes allegedly then threw a large rock at the officer, hitting him in the head and knocking the gun out of his hands, a neighbor told police later.

That's when Lopes picked up Chesna's gun and fired 10 rounds at Chesna, Connor said. Chesna was pronounced dead at the hospital.

A second officer arrived and shot Lopes in the foot.

Still, Lopes kept going. He made his way toward Torrey Street, where he allegedly shot a woman standing near a window in her home. Connor said he fatally shot 77-year-old Adams.

Lopes was arrested near the Torrey Street home. Police say he shot 15 or 16 rounds from the gun in total.

In the transmissions that were later released between Weymouth Fire and Police police you can hear someone sayin; "Worst case scenario right now."

Lopes will be locked up at the Dedham House of Correction as he awaits trial.

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Photos by Dan Libon, Patch